Motorcycle riding gunmen shoot indiscriminately at a JVP rally
By Gagani Weerakoon & Gandhya Senanayake
A woman and a boy were killed and 25 others were critically injured when an unidentified group shot indiscriminately at a Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) political meeting held in Katuwana , in the Beliaththa area in Hambantota, this evening.
JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva told Ceylon Today, that thugs had come on motorbikes and started firing at those who were present at an awareness campaign being held by the JVP as part of a series of agitations under the theme 'Rally against administration that torments masses.’
“Even though our party leaders in the area were not affected, the party is extremely dismayed by what happened, as it was innocent people who ultimately became victims,” he said.
The meeting attended by around 150 supporters had been organized by Beliaththa JVP organizer under the patronage of Southern Provincial Councillor Nalin Hewage. The two killed were among those who attended the meeting.
Police Spokesperson SP Ajith Rohana said, “The incident had taken place at around 7 p.m., this evening, where a JVP meeting attended by approximately 150 members was shot at by one of the four to five motorcyclists who arrived at the meeting, killing a woman and a boy, while critically injuring 25 others.”
The police have initiated investigations and special police teams have been sent to the area under the instruction of Senior DIG Southern Province, Rohana added. (Ceylon Today Online)
